Water charge

waileywoowoo

I'm trying to find out if we should be being charged a water bill for our property or not.
We currently live in the Scottish Highlands and at the moment we're in temporary accomodation on site while we renovate an old derelict property. The units that we're in we are paying council tax for and water rates (all in one here in the Highlands) which is fine, but we're also paying a water charge as well as council tax on the property is nothing more than a few walls. We understand that because the derelict was banded we have to pay council tax on it and we do get this at a reduced rate (second home) but we're also paying a water charge despite the fact that there is no water now going to the property. I've contacted the council numerous times and they claim that they'll contact the relevant water authority but so far we've heard nothing. (2 years later).
Basically, should we be paying the annual water charge for derelict if there is no water going in to the property? There is water going to the site granted but we are also paying for this in our council tax for the temporary units.

deanos

Yes you may get a reduction, ring the water company and explain it is under renovation, you may only have to pay the standing charge.

I dont understand what your council tax has to do with water tho, unless its different in Scotland ?

moonrakerz

Ask them to put a meter in so that you only pay the S/C for the meter and for the water you actually use.

They might see the stupidity of the situation then !!

waileywoowoo

deanos wrote: »

Yes you may get a reduction, ring the water company and explain it is under renovation, you may only have to pay the standing charge.

I dont understand what your council tax has to do with water tho, unless its different in Scotland ?

Yes, here in Scotland, our annual water charge is billed and paid for together with out council tax.

chunkyD_2

if you had rates relief on the property then you would not be harged for water at the property, the problem you have is that you are renovating the property, therefore it is not vacant and water may be used in the renovation, what you could do is call Scottish Water and ask them to cap your supply, this would make sure you had no access to the water supply, you could then provide your local authority with documentry evidence to have the water charges removed

anony_mouse_5

Do not ask them to cap the supply!
ask for a temporary disconnection.
if they cap it you LOSE the supply permanently they will remove your connection to the main.